NCAA preview: Several locals in the Big Dance

In case you missed it, I’ve already done previews on the NCAA Division II and III tournaments based specifically on locals. It only seems fair that I give the biggest tournament of all, the Division I bracket, the same treatment.

As always, follow me @LoHudCollege for updates on all the locals competing in college athletics.

MIDWEST—

No. 10 CINCINNATI (22-11)Locals: Sean Kilpatrick (White Plains)-JuniorHow they got in: At-large bid.Who they face: No. 7 Creighton (27-7)What you need to know: Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright make up one of the most potent backcourts in the country. The former Tiger leads the Bearcats in PPG (16.9) and is second in RPG (5.1).

No. 15 ALBANY (24-10)Locals: Reece Williams (Woodlands)-FreshmanHow they got in: Won the American EastWho they face: No. 2 Duke (27-5)What you need to know: Williams has seen limited time in his first season with the Great Danes.

WEST—

No. 4 Kansas State (27-7)Locals: Jordan Henriquez (Port Chester)-Senior (pictured above)How they got in: At-large bidWho they face: No. 13 Boise State (21-10)/La-Salle (21-9)What you need to know: Henriquez once again has been a force in the paint, leading the team in blocks (31). He also leads the team with 4.9 RPG and has contributed a solid 4.3 PPG.

No. 12 OLE MISS (26-8)Locals: Terry Brutus (Spring Valley)-FreshmanHow they got in: At-large bidWho they face: No. 5 Wisconsin (23-11)What you need to know: Brutus, who spent a year at Massanutten Military Academy (Va.) after graduating from Spring Valley, has seen decent time in his rookie season, averaging 9.1 minutes a game.

No. 15 IonaLocals: Tavon Sledge (Spring Valley)-SophomoreHow they got in: Won the MAACWho they face: No. 2 Duke (26-7)What you need to know: While Sledge attended Half Hollows in Long Island, his roots remain in Rockland county. In his first year with the Gaels after transferring from Iowa State, Sledge has averaged 5.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds.

SOUTH—

No. 10 OKLAHOMA (20-11)Locals: Isaiah Cousins (Mount Vernon)-FreshmanHow they got in: At-large bidWho they face: No. 7 San Diego State (22-10)What you need to know: In his rookie campaign Cousins has played in all 31 games with 14 starts.

DAN DEFRANCESCO joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in May of 2012. He graduated from Arlington High School in 2007 and SUNY Plattsburgh in 2011 with a degree in journalism. He's covered boys basketball, girls lacrosse and soccer for the paper, in addition to college athletics.